Label: Blue Note Records, 2023
Personnel - Immanuel Wilkins: alto saxophone; Joel Ross: vibraphone; David Virelles: piano; Dezron Douglas: bass; Johnathan Blake: drums.
Drummer Johnathan Blake demonstrates virtuosity in his compositional itineraries and pragmatism in his band leading. He has been a busy sideman working alongside the likes of Kenny Barron, Bill Frisell, Tom Harrell and the late Dr. Lonny Smith. Passage is his sophomore release on Blue Note and a powerful follow-up to the deservedly acclaimed Homeward Bound, picked by JazzTrail as one of the best jazz albums of 2021. There are no changes to the lineup of his excellent multi-generational Pentad ensemble, which features saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, pianist David Virelles and bassist Dezron Douglas.
Dedicated to Johnathan’s late father, the jazz violinist John Blake Jr., the album kicks off exclusively percussive at the sound of mallets and cymbals, but plays like a melody. The tidal pull of his approach takes us to his father’s tune “Passage”, where we indulge in a beautifully swinging post-bop. The caressing theme statement is asserted by Wilkins, who takes the first solo with impetuous genius. He’s followed by the always rhythmically interesting Virelles, who besides contributing one of his sultry Afro-Cuban-infused compositions named “Tiempos”, delivers a fantastic solo on Blake’s “West Berkley St.”, a soulful, Motown-inspired tune full of groove and joy.
Equal parts cheerful and cool, Blake’s “Groundhog Day” has Wilkins and Ross driving the piece to ecstatic heights. They also find wide harmonic avenues to explore - with adventurous notes that fall in and out of scope - on Douglas’ “A Slight Taste”, which is etched by a smokin’ funky groove. Virelles stretches out on Minimoog, to which he adds Fender Rhodes sounds on “Muna & Johna's Playtime”. Despite the odd meter, the piece is seamless in the flow with a folk contour in the melody, featuring Wilkins and Virelles in a stimulating musical interlocution. Ross, who steps forward here in the final vamping sequence, is also at the center of “Out of Sight, Out of Mind“, a bewitching, horn-less ballad delivered with a Bobby Hutcherson vibe.
Open to different genres, grooves and intensities, Johnathan Blake puts out a lovely recording that brims with openheartedness and positive expression. He remains one of the most sought-after drummers of the scene as he adapts to classic jazz environments as well as modern contexts with remarkable prowess.
Favorite Tracks:
02 - Passage ► 05 - Groundhog Day ► 08 - A Slight Taste